Hi Vicki,

Many thanks for your question on la-z boy mattresses (sometimes written lazy boy). They are better known for their big reclining leather sofas than mattresses but seemed to have branched out into beds recently.

We don't sell la-z boy mattresses or any other brand for that matter. We design and make our own range that can only be bought exclusively through our site. We don't use retailers or affiliates to sell our products. This means that we can keep our prices low and ensure that every customer gets the same detailed expert bed advice and isn't missold an unsuitable mattress by a salesperson working to targets each month in a retailer!

Let's have a closer look at the la-z boy mattress to help you make a more educated comparison to other models you may be looking at.

La-z Boy Mattress Specifications
The la-z boy mattress is a hybrid mix of synthetic memory foams and pocket springs. The one thing you need to know to be able to compare mattresses accurately and with some certainty is the details of each layer the mattress contains. What's frustrating is nearly all mattress manufactures hide this information from you. The details you need to know are:

• Memory foam density, hardness rating and thickness of layers
• Grams per square meter of upholstery layers
• Pocket spring wire gauge and size
• Detailing finishes like hand side stitching etc.

The la-z boy lists the following mattress details.

La-Z-Boy Mattresses feature an advanced combination of internal pocket coils and multiple layers of soft and supportive memory foam. This unique hybrid design allows for natural airflow, so your mattress can breathe and conform to the individual contours of your body. The combination of coils and foam also keeps your La-Z-Boy Mattress up to 28% cooler than the competition’s solid foam mattresses.

Sadly no real detail there.

Pocket springs for example come in either spunbond synthetic cases or calico, they make a vast difference to the breathability of the mattress. Calico being far more responsive, natural and breathable keeping you cooler. You also need to know which spring gauge the springs come in. This is because the mattress spring tension is directly linked to your bodyweight. If you choose the wrong tension the mattress will either be too supportive or far too forgiving leading to discomfort during the night. Pocket springs are made with these weight ranges so they compress then flex correctly giving enough push back and support.

The la-z boy adds more detail with the following 4 key mattress parts:

1. Ideal for households with pets and children, La-Z-Boy mattress covers are made with iClean™ fabric that repels spills before they can turn into stains.
2. High-quality polyurethane foam layers on the top and bottom provide consistent comfort, and serve as a transition between the memory foam and the coils.
3. Airflow-enhancing memory foam dissipates heat and moisture, and alleviates pressure. Select and Lux mattresses feature added antimicrobial properties.
4. Fabric-encased pocket coils are made of heavy gauge steel to absorb motion and prevent partners from rolling together in the middle of the mattress.

Image and description from la-z-boy.com

1. Mattress Cover

The la-z boy comes with a stain resistant mattress cover fabric but there's no detail on what the actual fabric is or how the fire retardancy is applied. Ie is it a chemical FR  or one of the newer plant-based FR methods like the one we use on our Artisan mattresses? It would be wise to ask La z boy this question.

2. Polutherane Foam Layer

This sounds very much like standard upholstery foam, the kind you find in seats and sofas. If it was a more advanced latex foam they certainly would list it. Again you need to know the depth and density to work out how firm this foam is and whether it is suitable for your bodyweight as a mattress comfort layer. Synthetic foams are increasingly heat retentive too. More on that next.

3. Memory foam layer

LA z boy list a 'airflow' memory foam which confuses us. Memory foam is Vasco elastic foam which requires and retains heat to work properly. It is renowned as the most heat retentive material used in mattresses which is why there are so many complaints about how hot people get on memory foam beds. There's nothing breathable in our experience about memory foam and we refuse to use in it any of our beds. Again there's no depth, density or hardness listed for this foam which you need to know to work out its suitability. If you're a hot sleeper you should definitely avoid memory foam and its super fast compression/settlement issues.

4. Fabric pocket coil spring unit

This is where things get a bit confusing with la-z boys terminology. A pocket coil technically doesn't exist here in the UK> You've either got:

• Open coil mattresses or
• Pocket spring mattresses

It seems like they're confusing the two. From their image, they look like a synthetic pocket spring and definitely not the dreaded open coil/cage sprung mattress. Again there's no spring tension or pocket spring number to allow you to compare.

Lastly, this is a one sided mattress which we would always avoid where possible. Most memory foam mattresses are one sided, it's part of their construction method. However, it also means you can't turn them to even out settlement. Giving them a far shorter shelf life.

Comparison Models to La-z Boy Beds

We don't make one sided memory foam mattresses like this so we don't have any like for like comparison. However, we can compare based on budget to see what you can expect for around the £1000 mark for a king size mattress.

Have a look at our Artisan 1500 Natural fibre two sided hand made mattress to see the level of detail you can expect.

ARTISAN 1500

1: 500GSM WOOL

2: 600GSM REBOUND POLY COTTON (50/50 BLEND)

3: 700GSM POLYESTER

4: 600GSM REBOUND POLY COTTON (50/50 BLEND)

5: 700GSM POLYESTER

6: 1200GSM CASHMERE HAIR PAD AS INSULATOR

7: 1500 SPUN BOND POCKET SPRINGS (SOFT, MEDIUM OR FIRM)

TOTAL: 4300GSM

CHEMICAL FREE COVER

We hope that helps  given food for thought Vicki and if you have any more mattress related questions please get back in touch on info@localhost or 0161 437 4419.

Sleep well
John & Ryan